Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-08-26
DAILY HERALD.
AGRICULTURAL NOTES.
An Omnium Gatherum for
the Farm.
A GOOD PERUVIAN CEREAL.
Drying Fruit i'm the Sun-P0ints
ON IncubatiOn-PriceS Of New
aud Old Wines.

A plat that should have a trial in
the agriculture of California is the
guinea (Chenopodium q,iinod), cereal
indigenous in the higher districts of
Peru and extensively cultivated there
since the Spanish conquest. The grain
is prepared for the table in various
ways similar to the methods of cook
ing beans, is regarded by the Peruvi-
ans and by many travellers as deli
cacy. 1t was tried in Germany on a
small scale and was cultivated with
success, but did not give satisfaction
on the table. Tschudi, from whose
book of travels in Peru l learn these
facts, says: at is to be hoped that
the cultivation of the quinoa will be-
come general in Europe, for the
plant would be of great utility
in districts where the potato
rot prevails. We all know that
potatoes and tea when first introduced
IN Europe were found very offensive
to the palate by many people who af-
forwards accepted them gratefully.
Like them, there is reason to believe
that quinoa will become an article of
food consumed by many civilized ma
tons" To the potatoes and tea may
be added the tomato and maze. With
in my own recollection there was a
prejudice among many people in Ohio
against the tomato. 1t was avoided
by them as poisonous, and when
proved to be edible it was denounced
Ms nauseous. Hominy, green maize
and maize cakes are now considered
In parts Of Europe to be unfit to be
eaten except in periods of famine.
The German verdict against quiz
noa should not be accepted as
final. Let California give it "a trial.
Another Peruvian plant that de-
Beryes the consideration of enterpris-
ing farmers in a climate which, like
ours, is favorable to every vegetable
Of the Temperate Zone, is the coca
(EryfhroxytOn coca), which has re-
Gently become prominent in medi-
cine. Tschudi says: "The Indians
assert that coca is the best remedy for
that difficulty of breathing felt at
great elevations; and my own expert
ence agrees with their statement.
While l was in the mountains, IA 900
feet above the sea, when about start
ing out to hunt. l always drank a
very strong infusion of coca
leaves. Then l could climb all day
after the game without more trouble
Of respiration than l would have on
the lowlands. Neither did l feel any
such cerebral excitement as is COM
mon among Europeans who drink
coca. Perhaps this was because |
drank it only in the cold Para,
where the nerves are less susceptible
than near the sea. But after taking
the coca felt no desire to eat at the
ordinary meal-time it seemed to post
pone my hunger" Tschudi elsewhere
says that coca is in the highest degree
nutritious, and that numerous Indians
have reached great age, several more
than one hundred and thirty years
through using coca regularly every
day after the age of ten. He admits
that its excessive use in mastication
has an injurious effect on the human
system but he does not say anything
Of injurious effect upon the senses OF
smell and taste, which, according to
letter recently published in a New
York journal, are entirely destroyed
by the frequent use of coca John ).
Hittell, in Rural Press.
KxPERIENCE IN DRYING FRUIT.
On Saturday last Eden Grange had
a most interesting meeting. The sub.
ject for discussion selected by the
committee was "Fruit Drying" Judge
Blackwood was called upon to give the
benefit of his experience, which he
did in a few terse remarks. Apricots
to get the best fruity flavor, should be
jelly ripe, though not approaching de.
cay. They were split and pitted, laid
on sacks with split side uppermost
after which they were placed in sui.
phur box and allowed to remain from
ten to twelve minutes. They were
then placed on the ground and fully
exposed to the SUMS rays. In about
ten days they were ready for pack.
ing. He advised the use of cottor
and not burlap sacks, on account
of the fuzz which came from
burlap. 1t is well-known fact that
Judge Blackwood objects to the pro.
cess of sulphuring, as being deleteri.
Gus to fruity flavor of the apricot and
other varieties of fruit. But it was
necessary that the color of the fruit
should be retained regardless of taste
and in conversation with a Chicago
fruit-dealer he had been told, that
dealers would not contract for fruit
unless sulphured, as the public so de-
manded it. The royal apricot was
considered the best for drying, as it
ripened more evenly. Prunes were
laid out to dry in the sun. When
fully dried they were gathered and
dipped in solution of one pound OF
concentrated lye to fifteen gallons OF
boiling water, rendering the skins soft
and giving a glossy appearance, also
destroying the |, iG of insects. They
were piled in heaps and allowed to
drain and sweat when they were ready
for packing in boxes or bags. Judge
.BlackwOod, having read that sea-water
was used for the drying of figs, has ex-
perimented with it very successfully.
Miss Obermuller mentioned about a
process used in Germany, for the dry
ing Of the German prune. They were
dipped in boiling water first and put
on the ground to dry. Mrs. Sheldon
raye some information she had gath.
cred last fall in the well known fruit
SECTION of Saratoga and Los Gatos
from parties who were experts in dry.
ing and preparing first class fruit fol
market. Some used the American
drier and others dried in the sun, but
mall cases prunes were dipped in hot
water or boiling grape-juice to soften
the skin and give glossy appear
snce. They followed the process o.
sulphuring the fruit, not because they
approved the method, but it was neces
sary for the sale of the fruit.-Hay
wards Journal, August 20.
HINTS ON INCUBATION.
The following suggestions as to incu
lion are given in an English poultry
ratification: First-PrOcure good